How to Highlight & Contour Pale Skin: Products, Techniques & More

Sometimes contour or bronzer looks muddy or even dirty on pale skin. I find using a grey or taupe contour with a cool undertone rather than a warmer, more orangey tone works much better.

This way the contour and bronzer do what they are supposed to do by flattering and defining the face, rather than making it look a bit dirty.

Another question I get is what is a good highlighter for fair or pale skin? People with very fair skin may not need as much highlighter because the skin is already light (natural highlights!) so choose a greyish highlighter as well to pick up the radiance.

Here’s how best to highlight and contour pale skin!

Tools and materials:

• Bronzer stick
• Highlighter with a sponge applicator
• Brushes
• Translucent finishing powder
• Blush
• Nude colored matte lipstick
• Nude colored shiny lipstick or gloss

1. Apply the contour

For my look today I channeled the 1960s cool look with a pale blue eyeshadow, black eyeliner, black mascara, and a pale lip. 

Using bronzer sticks is so easy! I apply the bronzer stick starting from the top of my face downwards.

I first apply two semi-circles mirroring the shape of my eyebrows at the top of my forehead. 

Then, I apply it to the hollow of my cheekbones, along my jawline, in a short straight line just below my lower lip, and down the sides of my nose.

2. Blend the contour

I use a foundation brush to blend the contour really well into the skin. I blend wherever I placed the contour color so there are no lines or streaks.

I take the brush down my neck and even to my decolletage to better match the contour color.

3. Add highlights

If you need that additional highlight and foundation or concealer isn’t enough, I add a highlighter.

I apply 3 stripes just above the center of my forehead, 3 diagonal stripes under each eye, in a vertical line just above my Cupid’s bow, the tip of my nose, and at the bottom of my chin.

4. Blend the highlighter

I use a flat top style brush to diffuse the highlighter so there are no obvious lines.

5. Finishing touches

I like to apply a translucent, finely-milled powder to set my contour and highlighter. I pat some on with a brush, with a gentle hand so it doesn’t cake or flake.

I add some blush at the top of my cheekbones, above where I placed the contour. I also lightly apply the blush to the areas where I have contoured for that extra definition.

I add some shimmer in soft baby pink on the top of my cheekbone, drawing it back up the outside edge of the eye for that extra glow.

Today, I finished with a pale pink-toned matte lip color with a slighter deeper glossy shade on top for that total 60s vibe.

How to highlight and contour pale skin tutorial

Perfectly pale with crisp contouring and definition! I hope this tutorial helped you learn how to highlight and contour pale skin. Please let me know in the comments what you think, what you’ve tried, if you’ve got tips for me, and what you want to see next!

Products used

• Wet n Wild MegaGlo Makeup Stick (highlighter and contour shades)
• Milk Makeup Mini Matte Cream Bronzer Stick
• NARS Mini Radiant Creamy Concealer
• Benefit Cosmetics Gold Rush Golden Nectar Blush Mini
• NYX Professional Lip Lingerie 0.13 oz. Nude Matte Lipstick in Embellishment
• NYX Professional 0.11 fl. oz. Lip Lingerie Liquid Glitter Lipstick in Shy